New Invasive and Potential Pests in Sugarcane Agrosystems in Africa: How to Apprehend Them for Better Preparedness and Management?

Abstract

Africa is a key sugarcane-producing continent, particularly in the eastern and southern regions with South Africa being the first producer of this commodity. However, sugarcane is attacked by insect pests of economic importance such as the stem borers, white grubs, armyworms, and sap-sucking insects and arthropods (e.g., aphids, thrips, scale insects, froghoppers, mites), some of which are vectors of important diseases. The African continent is particularly exposed to insect incursions due to the lack of biosecurity plans, phytosanitary control at the border and awareness. The actions taken by South Africa in terms of biosecurity represent a good example to follow and are comparable to what has been implemented in Australia, a country that is constantly threatened by outside pests and diseases. Several examples are given here to explain how an invasive pest can dramatically threaten small-scale farmers, particularly in resource-poor countries and how it is important to have an efficient biosecurity strategy for emergency response for pest and disease control. Information © The Author 2024